Thomas Birley: Arsonist involved in fire outside migrant hotel handed longest sentence yet over UK riots

23 comments

1. Nine years! Could’ve made it a nice round number like ~~100~~ 10!

2. >Birley has highly relevant previous convictions, including criminal damage, attacking emergency workers, and racially aggravated harassment, the court hears.

   Before anyone tries to claim it’s an overly harsh sentence…

3. Arson carries a strong sentence if i recall anyway. So that sounds about right. Especially when you also see his already existing rap sheet.

4. Waiting for Elon to retweet some far right account saying he was sentenced to 9 years for criticising the government

5. This isn’t really out of line for what has been previously seen in riots, in 2011, someone was given almost 12 years for burning down a furniture shop.

   https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-rioter-gets-11-years-for-burning-down-furniture-store-7636231.html#:~:text=The%20looter%20who%20started%20the,of%20Reeves%20store%20in%20Croydon.

   I think people underestimate just how long time in prison can feel, assuming he served the full sentence, he would have only been released last year.

6. Totally deserved. It’ll be interesting to see what the Leeds riot bus arson will get.

7. I can’t imagine how terrified the people in this building felt. He deserves his sentence, though I doubt it will make any difference.

8. People getting locked up for incendiary memes?!

   It’s two tear policing I tell you!!!^!!!

9. I think it’s a weak sentence, he’s old enough and ugly enough to understand that you don’t set fire to buildings, let alone with people inside. It’s racially aggravated attempted murder, he’s got off lightly, seeing all his other horrendous offending.

10. Before his racist pals get in a twist on Reddit, prisons are overcrowded. He’ll be out in 2 years.

11. 14 years seems light for, imo, a clear attempted terrorism/mass casualty offence.

12. Have those that set fire to the bus in Leeds riot been sentenced yet?

13. A few casually discarded aerosols in amongst the general rubbish and that could have been carnage, especially when the thugs had the cops backed up against adjacent to the burning bin,

14. He was trying to burn down a hotel with people inside.
    9 years sounds about right.

15. Good. Looking at his record he is of no value to society and I only wish that his many years of housing and food will now be provided at taxpayer expense.

16. He should be under the jail. This is should be classed as terrorism.

17. Good.

    Even without his previous I’d be glad. Arsonists are fucking terrifying.

18. Anyone unfortunate enough to have been stuck in a burning building knows just how serious this could have been – hope this scumbag rots.

19. Can we get justice this quick for the arsonists who attached flammable material to the countries tower blocks?

20. Muslim rioters have gotten lesser sentence. Not even charged for throwing eggs at police station etc.

21. That’s great, good riddance now send the horrible little tosser to Estonia.

22. I think most of the sentences for people tweeting something or gesturing at police are too harsh.

    This sentence for trying to set fire to a building with people in is 100% justified imho

23. Just waiting for the “Kier has now made fire illegal” comments.